In a new series of paintings at Alley Cat Books, muralist and urban landscape artist Anthony Holdsworth has captured the spirit of an entire neighborhood. Viewers can practically hear the sound of the 49 Muni bus clattering along Mission Street, smell the sizzling aromas of tamales being prepared by street vendors and intuit the changing face of the neighborhood, as corner bodegas brush elbows with upscale restaurants and tech start-ups. The memorial for his late friend and neighbor, respected underground artist Spain Rodriguez, inspired Holdsworth to paint scenes that depicted the vibrant colors, traditions, and populations of the Mission District. Almost directly across from a mural about gentrification in Balmy Alley, I discovered a nine-unit apartment building where over 50 tenants had received eviction notices. Community is as essential to us as air, water, or sunlight, he says, noting the number of mural artists who are working in San Francisco but primarily commuting from other locations in the Bay Area.
Reported by SFGate 6 hours ago.
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